Residents in support of Waitrose's Botley Road supermarket plans

A WAITROSE plan for West Oxford should be approved, residents have told planners, as final details are submitted for a decision on the proposals.

A plan that would demolish the former MFI and Halfords in Botley Road have been submitted to Oxford City Council.

The multi-million pound development would bring 160 jobs, and 11 residents have already written in support, with one outright opponent to the plan.

Earl Street resident Mary Elliston wrote: “This is a fantastic proposal – we are so close to town yet there is so little on Botley Road “This will really boost the area, creating jobs and regenerating a run-down industrial site.

“This side of Oxford is lacking a decent supermarket.”

Lamarsh Road resident Doug Nevill said: “This is exactly what West Oxford needs, a quality supermarket of a decent size. An additional benefit will see the replacement of an awful building with one which is far more attractive.”

Waitrose said the store – with a sales area of 2,300sqm and 148 parking spaces – would provide a much-needed supermarket for West Oxford.

Its application says: “There is a distinct qualitative deficiency in main food shopping provision to the north and west of the city centre.”

Weekdays from 4-6pm would be busiest, when 403 vehicle trips would be made, it estimates.

However, Alexandra Road resident Vicky Hirsch said: “I think it is a short-sighted idea to situate a large grocery store on the main trunk route into Oxford from the west, which is already subject to bad traffic jams and delays in both directions.

“I think it will further isolate Botley from West Oxford and be detrimental to the sense of community in the area.”

St Paul’s Crescent resident Jo Johnson said: “The concern I have is both the access to the store and what impact this development will have on traffic on the Botley Road.

“The Botley Road is a very busy and congested route. Unless there is another route planned to get to the site, it will be very difficult getting to the shop through the busy traffic.”

A public exhibition held in November was attended by 200 people and 93 per cent of the feedback backed the plans, Waitrose said.

Spokesman James Armstrong said: “It has been incredibly encouraging that the majority of those people who attended our exhibition share our confidence that a Waitrose on Botley Road can make a positive contribution to the area.”

Comments

Given the recent flooding, I cannot see why anyone would want to open a business on the Botley Road.

Given the recent flooding, I cannot see why anyone would want to open a business on the Botley Road.Neonlights

Given the recent flooding, I cannot see why anyone would want to open a business on the Botley Road.

Score: 2

xenarthra
10:38am Wed 29 Jan 14

Both sides are right: having a decent supermarket in West Oxford will lift the area, but it will also increase congestion on Botley Road. How about letting people who live off Botley Road use the bus lane for access, enforced by cameras linked to a database of authorised number plates?

Both sides are right: having a decent supermarket in West Oxford will lift the area, but it will also increase congestion on Botley Road. How about letting people who live off Botley Road use the bus lane for access, enforced by cameras linked to a database of authorised number plates?xenarthra

Both sides are right: having a decent supermarket in West Oxford will lift the area, but it will also increase congestion on Botley Road. How about letting people who live off Botley Road use the bus lane for access, enforced by cameras linked to a database of authorised number plates?

Score: -4

icba1957
12:00pm Wed 29 Jan 14

Why not convert this site into much needed housing (designed like Prestwich Place the other side of the stream), and make Waitrose the supermarket in the redevelpoed West Way?

Why not convert this site into much needed housing (designed like Prestwich Place the other side of the stream), and make Waitrose the supermarket in the redevelpoed West Way?icba1957

Why not convert this site into much needed housing (designed like Prestwich Place the other side of the stream), and make Waitrose the supermarket in the redevelpoed West Way?

Score: 0

Benjami
12:56pm Wed 29 Jan 14

I feel very isolated living in Botley, what with my 10 minutes walk to the city centre and 5 minute walk to the Railway station.

Not sure how a shopping store is going to be detrimental to the sense of community in the area, if anything it will act as a hub and enhance it. It is certainly going to improve the desirability of Botley.

Long live our Waitrose overlords!

I feel very isolated living in Botley, what with my 10 minutes walk to the city centre and 5 minute walk to the Railway station.
Not sure how a shopping store is going to be detrimental to the sense of community in the area, if anything it will act as a hub and enhance it. It is certainly going to improve the desirability of Botley.
Long live our Waitrose overlords!Benjami

I feel very isolated living in Botley, what with my 10 minutes walk to the city centre and 5 minute walk to the Railway station.

Not sure how a shopping store is going to be detrimental to the sense of community in the area, if anything it will act as a hub and enhance it. It is certainly going to improve the desirability of Botley.

Long live our Waitrose overlords!

Score: 5

EMBOX2
3:27pm Wed 29 Jan 14

xenarthra wrote…

Both sides are right: having a decent supermarket in West Oxford will lift the area, but it will also increase congestion on Botley Road. How about letting people who live off Botley Road use the bus lane for access, enforced by cameras linked to a database of authorised number plates?

Sounds like an admin nightmare. Bet Labour are all for it then!

Seriously, I can't see *that* much more traffic being generated - if anything it should ease traffic out of Oxford in the evening, when people nip in on their way home.

[quote][p][bold]xenarthra[/bold] wrote:
Both sides are right: having a decent supermarket in West Oxford will lift the area, but it will also increase congestion on Botley Road. How about letting people who live off Botley Road use the bus lane for access, enforced by cameras linked to a database of authorised number plates?[/p][/quote]Sounds like an admin nightmare. Bet Labour are all for it then!
Seriously, I can't see *that* much more traffic being generated - if anything it should ease traffic out of Oxford in the evening, when people nip in on their way home.EMBOX2

xenarthra wrote…

Both sides are right: having a decent supermarket in West Oxford will lift the area, but it will also increase congestion on Botley Road. How about letting people who live off Botley Road use the bus lane for access, enforced by cameras linked to a database of authorised number plates?

Sounds like an admin nightmare. Bet Labour are all for it then!

Seriously, I can't see *that* much more traffic being generated - if anything it should ease traffic out of Oxford in the evening, when people nip in on their way home.

Score: 4

Andy of jericho
6:01pm Wed 29 Jan 14

We the people want Waitrose and we will rise up and massacre anyone foolish enough to get in our way. Handcut aged organic balsamic vinegar and sea salt chips! What's not to like?

We the people want Waitrose and we will rise up and massacre anyone foolish enough to get in our way. Handcut aged organic balsamic vinegar and sea salt chips! What's not to like?Andy of jericho

We the people want Waitrose and we will rise up and massacre anyone foolish enough to get in our way. Handcut aged organic balsamic vinegar and sea salt chips! What's not to like?

Score: 1

Isawyoucoming
6:14pm Wed 29 Jan 14

forget Waitrose we need more student housing

forget Waitrose we need more student housingIsawyoucoming

forget Waitrose we need more student housing

Score: 1

Paddyjackrosie
10:30pm Wed 29 Jan 14

Keeeping cancer research outlet does more good than a waitrose ever can

Keeeping cancer research outlet does more good than a waitrose ever canPaddyjackrosie

Keeeping cancer research outlet does more good than a waitrose ever can

Score: -2

patjay
10:46pm Wed 29 Jan 14

Timely that we are informed that the City is due to finalise the Westgate plan, obviously linked to Waitrose moving half way down Botley road and
announcing that 93% are pro - out of those who chose to comment.

Nipping in to shop to ease congestion time will make no difference, they will also have to 'nip out' if they are lucky, into traffic and cross over if travelling West along with buses, delivery vehicles, cyclists et al.

The pretty artist's drawing is so deceiving - who are they trying to fool, nor
does it give the impression of thriving custom and obviously not familiar with Botley road traffic.

The proposed Doric Botley development in the Vale could easily house Waitrose, as well as having easy access off the ring road and slip road. Let the site be used for much needed housing, the developers corporate pension fund raised would not lose out.

For all that, we have to face that this scheme is already in the bag - double whammy for the City's coffers. They win, Botley road does not.

Timely that we are informed that the City is due to finalise the Westgate plan, obviously linked to Waitrose moving half way down Botley road and
announcing that 93% are pro - out of those who chose to comment.
Nipping in to shop to ease congestion time will make no difference, they will also have to 'nip out' if they are lucky, into traffic and cross over if travelling West along with buses, delivery vehicles, cyclists et al.
The pretty artist's drawing is so deceiving - who are they trying to fool, nor
does it give the impression of thriving custom and obviously not familiar with Botley road traffic.
The proposed Doric Botley development in the Vale could easily house Waitrose, as well as having easy access off the ring road and slip road. Let the site be used for much needed housing, the developers corporate pension fund raised would not lose out.
For all that, we have to face that this scheme is already in the bag - double whammy for the City's coffers. They win, Botley road does not.patjay

Timely that we are informed that the City is due to finalise the Westgate plan, obviously linked to Waitrose moving half way down Botley road and
announcing that 93% are pro - out of those who chose to comment.

Nipping in to shop to ease congestion time will make no difference, they will also have to 'nip out' if they are lucky, into traffic and cross over if travelling West along with buses, delivery vehicles, cyclists et al.

The pretty artist's drawing is so deceiving - who are they trying to fool, nor
does it give the impression of thriving custom and obviously not familiar with Botley road traffic.

The proposed Doric Botley development in the Vale could easily house Waitrose, as well as having easy access off the ring road and slip road. Let the site be used for much needed housing, the developers corporate pension fund raised would not lose out.

For all that, we have to face that this scheme is already in the bag - double whammy for the City's coffers. They win, Botley road does not.

Score: -1

robbo81
6:23pm Thu 30 Jan 14

you wait until they run out of organic hummous. Oberon and Persephone will unleash hell, then you'll all be sorry!!

you wait until they run out of organic hummous. Oberon and Persephone will unleash hell, then you'll all be sorry!!robbo81

you wait until they run out of organic hummous. Oberon and Persephone will unleash hell, then you'll all be sorry!!

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